For the sake of this article, let’s assume you booked accommodation in either the historical part of Istanbul, around Sultanahmet Square, or in the modern part of the city such as Beyoğlu and Taksim Square.
Whichever means of transportation you choose, first make sure you have some Turkish liras on you. None of these options accept credit cards, and with the exception of taxi drivers, not even big Turkish lira notes. You’ll find ATMs and an exchange office inside the airport.
How to reach your hotel from the airport
1. Taxi
Taking a taxi to your hotel is not only the most obvious choice, it’s also the easiest one. There are usually plenty of taxis waiting outside to bring you to your destination. Sometimes taxi drivers may already be looking for customers inside the terminal. To be on the safe side, it is better not to accept those offers and rely on the official taxis lined up outside.
Under normal circumstances, you should arrive at your destination in approximately 30 minutes, which would also make a taxi the quickest option. Unfortunately, open roads are in Istanbul more the exception than the rule. So if the ride takes longer, it does not automatically mean the driver is making detours. He does not like traffic jams any more than you do, because he gets paid per kilometer.
A trip from Atatürk Airport to Sultanahmet used to cost around 30 TL, while Taksim was around 35 TL. A taxi ride from Sabiha Gökçen Airport takes approximately 1 hour and was around 65 TL, so for that route a shuttle service may be a better choice. As fares can change, check current rates before you travel.
Taxi drivers do not know every hotel in town by heart, so make sure you have the name of the hotel, the address, and the telephone number written down. If the driver is unsure of the location, he may ask for directions on the street or call the hotel reception.
2. Airport shuttle
While a taxi is certainly a good option when travelling with a group, if you are alone or just two people, you may want to consider an airport shuttle service. There were two shuttle services mentioned here, each handling passengers from and to both Atatürk and Sabiha Gökçen airports, although their destinations, prices, and operations differed.
The Havataş airport shuttle service used comfortable air-conditioned buses. From Atatürk Airport they went practically non-stop to Taksim and cost only 10 TL per person. The drawback was that they only went to Taksim, so if your hotel was in another area, it might not be worth the extra hassle.
From Sabiha Gökçen Airport, the bus would take you either to Kadıköy on the Asian side, from where you could take a short ferry onward, or to Taksim on the European side. A ticket cost 15 TL per person. Buses reportedly departed every half hour to and from Atatürk Airport between 4 a.m. and 1 a.m. After 1 a.m., different shuttles operated based on passenger intensity. From Sabiha Gökçen, buses left after a plane had landed. Between midnight and 6 a.m., ticket fees were increased by 25%.
You could find the airport shuttle service outside the terminal. Look for the buses or the Havataş sign. Since they also went to different parts of town, it was worth asking which one was going to your destination. The driver would load your luggage, but it was wise to watch the bag being put on the bus and then board the same vehicle. There was no need to buy a ticket upfront; the driver collected the money just before departure.
Alternatively, there was the Istanbul Airport Shuttle Service. Its main advantage was that it picked you up from the airport and took you to the door of your hotel, regardless of the district. The disadvantage was that you had to make a reservation through the website before arrival. From Atatürk Airport, a transfer was listed as €7, and from Sabiha Gökçen as €10 per person. As an exception to the rule, they preferred payment in euros. Since airport transfer companies and fares can change over time, always check the operator’s official site before booking.
3. Metro and tram
Public transportation was undoubtedly the cheapest option if you arrived at Atatürk Airport. Unfortunately, it was also the most adventurous one, and not an option if you landed at Sabiha Gökçen Airport.
Getting on the metro at Atatürk Airport was fairly straightforward. You bought a token at the ticket office for 1.5 TL and got on the metro. But whether you were heading to Sultanahmet or Taksim, you had to get off at Zeytinburnu and transfer to the tramway to Kabataş. This switch involved dragging your suitcases up and down some stairs as well.
Once on the tramway to Kabataş, those going to Sultanahmet could simply get off at the respective stop. If you were going to Taksim, you needed to take the funicular (Füniküler) from Kabataş to Taksim Meydanı. If your plans include sightseeing soon after arrival, this route also puts you within easy reach of places like Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia.
Keep in mind that you had to buy a new token for every transfer you made. The metro and tramway systems operated from 6 a.m. till midnight. For current public transport lines and schedules, it is best to check the official Metro Istanbul website or IETT.
4. Hotel pick-up
If your hotel offers a free or paid airport pick-up, this is often the least stressful way to arrive. You avoid navigating the city with luggage, there is usually no need to explain directions, and you can head straight to reception. If this service is available, it is worth comparing it with the cost of a taxi or shuttle before you travel.
Which option is best?
The best way to reach your hotel depends on what matters most to you. A taxi is the easiest and often the fastest in ideal traffic, but it can get expensive, especially from Sabiha Gökçen. A shuttle can be a good middle ground for solo travellers and couples. Public transport is the cheapest choice from Atatürk Airport, but also the least convenient if you have heavy luggage. And if your hotel can arrange a transfer, that may be the smoothest option of all.
Whichever route you choose, having your hotel details written down and some small Turkish lira notes in your pocket will make your arrival in Istanbul much easier.
